More than 50 participants from around the world will gather for the final three days of hands-on anatomy workshops

Friday Jun 20, 2014

The International Human Cadaver Prosection Program (IHCPP), a unique medical program of Indiana University School of Medicine – Northwest (IUSM-NW) located on the Indiana University Northwest campus in Gary, Ind., will take place July 29 – 31, 2014.

This hands-on, innovative medical program is the only one in the country that allows non-physician and non-medical student participants the opportunity to become active volunteers in the IUSM-NW gross anatomy laboratory.

Fifty-one individuals have been selected to participate in the 2014 program, plus 12 student radiographers and ultrasonographers, and 17 instructional faculty.

The participants will gain detailed knowledge of human anatomy, medical imaging, and wound suturing, as well as a greater understanding of tissue histology, embryology, prosthetics, orthotics, and orthopedics medical specialties.

They will prepare the body donors for the Fall 2014 gross anatomy class by removing the donors’ skin and body fat to expose organs, muscles and other anatomical structures.

This is the 15th year for the program, which is under the direction of Ernest Talarico, Ph.D., IUSM-NW associate director of medical education and associate professor of human gross anatomy and embryology. Participants will come from around the United States, as well as from Argentina, Canada, Hungary, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia.

High School Participant

At the age of 16, Johntrell Bowles, a junior at 21st Century Charter School in Gary, Ind., will find himself working alongside students and professionals who are, in some cases, decades older than him.

After his mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, Bowles decided his life’s passion was in healthcare, thinking, “I cannot change my mother’s illness, but I can help others.”

In foster care now for the last six years, Bowles is steadfast in his goal, actively pursuing opportunities and experiences that will position him for his future.

“This opportunity is truly unique,” he said. “It allows an African-American male in Northwest Indiana to experience something the 99 percent of young people will never encounter. This will be a life-changing experience for me…This program is the start of a new journey for me.”

First Patient

The IHCPP program is anchored in teaching gratitude, respect and professionalism. In addition to learning basic anatomy, participants will celebrate human dignity.

In accordance with the “Talarico Protocol for Human Gross Anatomy,” (Clinical Anatomy Journal) donors in the laboratory are treated with the same dignity and consideration that living patients would expect to receive from their physician.

Participants are reminded that the donors have essentially become “first patients” for them, as well as for the fall medical students who will follow. This means that donors should be referred to by their real names.

Additionally, as part of the “Talarico Protocol,” summer participants are given the opportunity to correspond with families of the donors. It is an experience, Talarico says, that can have a fundamental impact on participants’ future interaction with patients.